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Island of the Dolls

Book 4 in the series:World's Scariest Places

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"Island of the Dolls" by Jeremy Bates is a suspense thriller set on the Isla de las Munecas, a haunted island in Mexico filled with thousands of dolls. A group of people, including a film crew and some unlikable characters, venture to the island to make a documentary. As they explore the eerie setting, they encounter a series of disturbing events, including a murder and supernatural occurrences. The story alternates between the past and present, revealing the tragic history of the island and its effect on the characters. Bates' writing style is described as detailed, creepy, and intense, with a focus on creating a chilling atmosphere and unraveling the characters' hidden secrets.

Characters:

Characters vary from being unlikable to more developed like Maria, with some remaining underdeveloped throughout.

Writing/Prose:

The author's writing style is clear and engaging, using detailed descriptions and a fast-paced narrative that alternates between different timelines.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows a group who venture to a haunted island known for its dolls, encountering eerie events and a murder that deepens the horror of their stay.

Setting:

The setting of the haunted island, filled with dolls, creates a deeply eerie and creepy atmosphere that is central to the story.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally fast, especially towards the climax, though some sections may lag with character development.

Notes:

The book is based on the real Island of the Dolls, located near Mexico City.
The island is home to thousands of dolls and is said to be haunted.
The story involves a documentary crew who decides to film on the island despite warnings of danger.
The main character, Jack, navigates the dynamics of his friend group and the spooky events that unfold.
A storm forces the characters to stay overnight on the island, adding to the tension.
The plot includes a tragic backstory about a little girl who drowned, inspiring the doll displays.
Some readers found the characters unlikable and the plot predictable.
The atmospheric setting is praised for its creepiness but some felt the horror was lacking.
The story alternates between present-day events and a historical narrative about a girl named Maria who adored her doll.
A significant turn in the story involves discovering a dead body, raising the stakes for the characters.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings may include violence, particularly involving murder and mutilation, as well as themes of childhood trauma.

From The Publisher:

OVER ONE MILLION READERS HAVE TAKEN THE JOURNEY TO THE WORLD'S SCARIEST PLACES. NOW IT'S YOUR TURN.

USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author Jeremy Bates takes you to an infamous haunted island scattered with thousands of eerie dolls-where more than just the toys' glassy eyes are upon you.

Foreword Indies Book of the Year winner. For fans of Joe Hill and Stephen King.

Deep within an ancient Aztec canal system on the outskirts of Mexico City lies Isla de las Munecas...a reportedly haunted island infested with thousands of decrepit dolls.

While there to film a television documentary, several friends discover a brutal murder. Soon fear and paranoia turn them against one another-even as the unknown killer stalks them throughout the longest night of their lives.

Praise for Jeremy Bates:

"Old-school horror story reminiscent of Stephen King" ★★★★★

"Best book I've read to date" ★★★★★

"Perfect for Laymon fans!" ★★★★★

"Definitely recommend to all fans of modern horror" ★★★★★

"A master storyteller!" ★★★★★

"I sort of fell into Jeremy Bates by accident, and I'm so glad I did.

He's one of my new favorite writers, and I urge everyone to check him out" ★★★★★

"The most chilling book I've ever read!" ★★★★★

"Absolutely loved this book" ★★★★★

"Non-stop adrenaline rush from beginning to end" ★★★★★

"Any Stephen King or Dean Koontz fan will love it" ★★★★★

"I was hooked from the first page!" ★★★★★

"Binge worthy!" ★★★★★

"This is one of the best books I have ever read!" ★★★★★

"A very juicy, scary ride" ★★★★★

"Suicide Forest is up there with Joe Hill's Heart Shaped Box" ★★★★★

"Scariest book I've ever read" ★★★★★

"Huge fan of Mr Bates!

You won't be disap-pointed" ★★★★★

"Edge-of-my-seat experience! I felt I was indeed living the horror" ★★★★★

"Page-turner with a twist! I was hanging on to every word!" ★★★★★

"One of the greatest suspense-filled books I have ever read" ★★★★★

"If you enjoy Richard Laymon, you'll love reading Jeremy Bates" ★★★★★

"A true edge-of-your-seat thriller...I couldn't put it down!" ★★★★★

"Startlingly Spooky!" ★★★★★

"A non-stop page-turner!" ★★★★★

"Early Stephen King, Robert McCammon, Jeremy Bates is a must read!" ★★★★★

"As usual Jeremy Bates has done it again...

Give him a try, you'll not regret it" ★★★★★

Although in a series, this is a STAND-ALONE novel. For fans of Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Richard Laymon, Bentley Little, as well as other horror and mystery authors such as Dan Simmons, Jack Ketchum, Robert McCammon, Brian Keene, Darcy Coates, Amy Cross, Jeff Strand, Ambrose Ibsen, Jeremy Robinson, Nick Cut-ter, Blake Crouch, Joe Hill, Iain Rob Wright, Jeff Menapace, Matt Shaw, Heather Graham, Jack Kilborn, James Herbert.

We hope you enjoy!

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